At least seven individuals have died and many others are lost following a craft carrying about two hundred migrants trying to get to Europe sank off the coast of The Gambia, officials state.
The boat overturned late Wednesday night near Jinack in the North Bank Region and it was subsequently discovered "beached on a shoal", the country's defence ministry said in a statement.
Nearly one hundred people have been saved to date and a rescue operation continues for those still missing who were traveling on the sunken boat that was en route to Spain's Canary Islands.
The hazardous trip over the the Atlantic has grown into a more frequent path for African migrants seeking entry into Europe.
Close to 47,000 people arrived at the Spanish archipelago in last year and figures suggest more than nine thousand individuals have died in the attempt.
Rescue Operation
Following the Wednesday incident, the navy began a search-and-rescue operation, deploying multiple navy ships and a commercial fishing craft that came to assist, the defence ministry reported.
Reports indicate several of the victims are foreign nationals and that their nationalities are still under confirmation.
The deceased of the seven victims who died have been retrieved, and 10 of those rescued are described as being in grave health and receiving urgent medical care.
A Common Migration Route
Gambia is a common pathway used by migrants attempting to enter Europe, typically through perilous trips over water and land.
In recent years, the European Union has reached agreements with multiple North African countries designed to reducing undocumented migration.
